An inquiry tasked with looking into claims that police failed to pursue money laundering claims related to CapitalOne when Beppe Fenech Adami's named cropped up as a company director will be published "in days, not weeks," the Prime Minister said today.
The inquiry, which was carried out by three former judges, was completed and had been handed to Dr Muscat but has not yet been published.
Dr Muscat this morning told reporters he was seeking advice on the inquiry's findings.
He rejected claims it was being held on to for "the right political timing".
Justice Minister Owen Bonnici had said the board of inquiry was tasked with examining four central allegations: that a public authority withheld information, that the authority did not cooperate with Dutch authorities in the broader investigation, that the authorities held back that a number companies registered in Malta made suspicious monetary transactions, and that certain public institutions failed to carry out their duty and investigate the claims.
Dr Fenech Adami has always maintained he was never aware of the investigation.
Panama Papers scandal
Dr Muscat also reiterated his position that it was the people who would decide on whether the Panama affair was case closed or not.
Opposition leader Simon Busuttil yesterday said the Panama scandal, which involved Cabinet minister Konrad Mizzi and Chief of Staff Keith Schembri, would never stop haunting this government. A committee of MPs came to Malta to investigate the matter last week, with the scandal being described as pointing towards potential money laundering. Dr Muscat said the committee’s visit had been a mixed bag, with differing views and positions taken by its members.
A committee of MPs visited Malta to investigate the matter last week, with the scandal being described as pointing towards potential money laundering. Dr Muscat said the committee's visit had been a mixed bag, with differing views and positions taken by its members.
Gozo interference claims
The Prime Minister was also asked about allegations that two Gozitan youths had been let off the hook over alleged drug-related crimes after political interference from unnamed Labour politicians.
He said he would be worried only if an inquiry he had ordered into the matter proved any wrongdoing.
Malta Today yesterday reported that "two senior politicians" met with the fathers of the two young men days after their original admission in a government building in Victoria.
"After the meeting, the two young men were given the opportunity to change their police statements – which they did – with the new statement completely contradicting their original declarations," the paper reported.
The case reportedly dates back to 2013. The two men were never charged. In a statement, the government said Dr Muscat would be appointing an inquiry to investigate the claims. No further details were provided.